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Friday, December 20, 2013

Fatty liver,
also known as hepatic lipidosis, is the most common liver disease in cats. When the body is in starvation mode, it
quickly shifts fat cells to the liver.
It does this so the liver can convert the fat into lipoproteins for
energy. However, the cat’s liver is not
very good at converting these fat cells.
So, the fat accumulates in the liver.
As the fat builds up, the liver starts to lose its ability to function.

The liver has
many jobs in the body. These include:
detoxification, protein synthesis, and the production of chemicals used in
digestion. The liver also helps break
down red blood cells and produces clotting factors to aid in blood
clotting. Because of its many jobs, when
the liver starts to fail, you will see several symptoms.

Hepatic
lipidosis is usually caused by a cat’s loss of appetite. This can be caused by illness (such as
diabetes or kidney disease), stress, extreme diet restrictions by owners, or
being lost.

The most obvious
symptom is yellowing of the eyes and mucous membranes. This is referred to as jaundice in people,
but is referred to as icterus in animals.
Other symptoms include: anorexia, vomiting, lethargy, neurologic
symptoms, and depression.

The most
important treatment is prevention by paying close attention to your cat’s
eating habits. If your cat loses its
appetite, it is important to discover the underlying cause and get it treated
before the liver starts to deteriorate.
Hepatic lipidosis can be life-threatening, so the earlier treatment is
started, the higher chance of your cat’s liver recovering.

Early symptoms of liver disease include: weight loss,
loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and increased thirst. In most cases, if the underlying cause of the
liver damage is found and treated during this early stage, then the liver will
heal and return to normal function.

Symptoms of liver failure include: icterus (yellowing of
the eyes or gums), ascites (fluid accumulation in the abdomen), spontaneous
bleeding, and neurologic symptoms (disorientation, head-pressing, dullness, and
seizures). Once the liver has advanced
to the stage of liver failure, the chances of regaining liver function are very
slim. However, many dogs can survive
with chronic treatment, such as IV fluids, medications, and a special diet.

The most important factor in liver disease is to prevent
the underlying causes by having your puppy properly vaccinated, keeping your
pet away from potential toxins, and using therapeutic drugs according to your
veterinarian’s instructions.
Additionally, if you suspect that your pet has been exposed to toxins or
has overdosed on NSAIDS, it is important to seek treatment as early as
possible.

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